Southeast Library is one of the smaller libraries in the DC Public Library system, but an advantage…read moreof that is it gives off more of a family, neighborhood vibe. It's right next to the Eastern Market Metro near Barracks Row and the actual historic Eastern Market. It's in a single building and most of the collection is on the ground level. They have DVDs, music, books and a decent children's section. They have wifi and computers to use if you need them. The bottom floors houses the bathrooms and once a month, they sell bargain books down there.

Love this local library. The facilities are clean and bright, and it's usually busy enough to be…read morelively(some kids) but not so much that it's distracting(eg. Starbucks). Like other reviewers have pointed out, the computers are popular, so opt for a laptop if you've got one. I've always had good customer service here, and I'm usually just popping in for some quick read or a DVD right after work. They also have seminars, discussions, family programs, workshops, tax forms, etc downstairs. DC library in general: I also like to go to the website and reserve DVDs in a series in order to place on hold. Just remember when you pick up your DVDs to get them "unlocked" so you can actually watch them. And you can only renew them once. Also, MLK central library has the best selection of everything, but it's definitely a more urban library, and this place just has a nice neighborhood feel. **Correction on the hours: due to budget cuts, the library is CLOSED on Sundays. The rest of the hours remain the same. (MWFSat 9:30am-5:30pm, TTh 1-9pm) For those of us who work traditional 9-5s, I will see you Tuesday/Thursday night.

I wanted to write a review to thank the DC library for how wonderful they have been during the…read moreCOVID crisis. Even though I have lived in DC for a few years, I embarrassingly was not a member of the DC library. It was really easy to go online and fill out a form. When I was confused, I was able to easily get help online. Although I have not had a chance to use the library building, I have been able to go there to pick up books. Each time I have been in and out very quickly. They have a system of how people walk through so that people are not too physically close to each other. The location is incredibly convenient to the metro. I really appreciate how nice everyone has been and how easy they have made it to take out books. Thank you to the staff of the DC Public Library and the Cleveland Park Library for making life easier in these crazy times!

Brightly lit multistory library with communities meeting rooms, a book sale rack, and clean…read morerestrooms, albeit without potable water or restrooms on the main floor!!! Librarians are really helpful, although automation is replacing a lot of their functions - while it frees them to concentrate on other tasks, it might also render them obsolete.

Agree with the rest of the reviews mentioning the population that tends to hang out here. It…read moredoesn't feel safe or feasible to stay in the library for any prolonged amount of time given the disruptive and sometimes aggressive behavior. If you're a smaller person or look less able to defend yourself, you might not feel safe hanging out in here. Also, if you're smell sensitive, forget it. I really don't mean to sound callous, but a public library is supposed to be for everyone. At times for this library there's really only one kind of community member that seems to feel comfortable hanging around. I don't think this is an acceptable state of things when our tax dollars fund public libraries. I wouldn't take kids here either. I strongly urge the leadership to do something about this problem that many people have now noted. The public library isn't a homeless shelter. Allowing it to turn into one will not fix the systemic issues that lead to homelessness and a lack of shelter space. It simply prevents others from using this public resource as intended. If y'all can call security on a Black teenager that was trying to study in the Children's section and bothering no one, surely you can call security to remove disruptive homeless people.

This is an excellent, new, clean, and well organized library in West End. There is a lot of seating…read moreand reading spaces, but it smells foul in some areas because some of the patrons are homeless hanging out/sleeping inside. The service desk employee was friendly and knowledgeable and got me signed up for a new DC Library Card quickly. I love that the library is delivery connected to the Bluestone Lane (cafe/sandwich/breakfast spot).

I spent many hours studying in this library and found ample citable sources that helped accomplish…read more30-page essays that eventually achieved high marks (whether it be points or letters). The writing center is still such a wonderful resource for students. Very good memories in the stacks!

First time here as a Grad student…read more Looks great inside and out. They just doubled the amount of computers here. They have a snack room where you can eat your meals and then go off to the reading and web surfing. Lots of floors. They have group study rooms that you can reserve to study in (2 people min.) Printing is 7 cents per page for black and white. The lighting is great and it generally very quiet and provides you with a great place to study. Oh yea, open 24 hours and 7 days a week during the semester!! (except for major holidays!)

Bellevue Library is one of the most beautiful and uniquely designed public libraries in Washington,…read moreD.C. and it's in a lesser known neighborhood in Ward 8 called Bellevue. If you're not from east of the river, it's just off of the highway on your way to the National Harbor. The man who designed it is also the genius who designed the National African-American History and Culture Museum. He created this library to be "a brutalist treehouse." It stands on a hill overlooking the city and does give off the treehouse vibe. Although it's one building, it looks as if it has several towers with the majority of the space outside of the bottom floor. Once you enter, walk up the stairs to the second floor for the kids section and the top floor with the rest of the books, computers, private rooms, and community space. There are many windows letting in natural light. This library's programming is on point. They have poetry days, hip hop dance classes, and photography workshops. If you're into design and photography, this is a true hidden gem in the city.

Very nice library! Updated and very spacious. Small parking lot though but street parking is…read moreavailable. I attended a workshop in one of their conference rooms. The room was comfortable and very accommodating. Front desk staff is very helpful!

Sometimes it feels like nothing nice gets built anymore. But somehow, Southwest did end up with…read morethis library, a pleasing wood-accented construction adjacent to the park. The library is smaller inside than it looks, and while it did have a small outdoor balcony, this was closed for some reason despite the pristine weather. It was an easy place to sit and charge a device or use wifi. There were some meeting rooms and an event calendar, and it was a reasonably well-attended space.

Inside a new building is Southwest Waterfront's new public library. Walk inside the two-story…read morebuilding and find computers with internet, free printing for library card holders, and lots of books. On the walls along the stairs is an old photo of the neighborhood. The library staff are helpful and they do lots of programming like story time for kids. On both floors are a few outdoor patios with chairs and tables.

Rosedale Library is a small public library, but a might one! Attached to a recreation center and…read morepool and with a D.C. monument-themed playground, the library has a small parking lot. Walk inside to one large room with books, an area for children, and computers with free printing for cardholders. (You can print up to 20 pages a day for free.)

A lovely little local library branch! Conveniently located in Virginia Highlands Park, there is a…read morefree parking lot right outside. Also, this library is right by a fenced in playground and a sprayground that is super fun in the summer. A one stop shop! There is a kids section here with some toys for the kids to play and plenty of books. Also, they have crayons and paper available and several kid size tables and even a tiny couch- very cute. There is one designated kids computer as well with headphones! Ms. Karen does the children's programming and hosts a great story time on Thursday mornings from 10:30-11. If you have a little one you should check it out! Stories and songs for kids. Best for the preschool and under crowd. The librarians here are all kind and very helpful. Stop by the front desk for a stamp on your kid's hand! Don't forget about summer reading too. There is a bathroom located in the lobby as well as a vending machine. Highly recommend you check out the Aurora Hills Library if you are in town!

This library closed in March 2020 and never reopened. As of January 2021, there's still been no…read morepublic discussion of reopening it in the future, and the county library system hasn't responded to any of the people in the the local community about when or whether it might reopen someday. The only emails we've received from the county library director have been about her favorite Christmas songs and her pet political causes, so she doesn't seem to know or care that people in the community want access to books. The hours for this closed location should be removed because anyone showing up and expecting to use a library will be disappointed. It's just an abandoned building where the county keeps a large container to drop off glass for recycling. (Arlington discontinued curbside recycling pickup of glass in April 2019, so the abandoned library is being used as one of the dropoff sites. Recyclable glass of any color can be dropped off 24/7 in the dumpster-sized bin.)